- In the 2006/07 season many perennial ryegrass seed lines showed germination problems with many seed lines failing to reach 80 %.
- No single factor was the cause for the germination issues in the 2006/07 season. Light seed, blind seed and seed dormancy combined to cause the issues encountered in 2006/07.
- Low germination in the lines can be attributed primarily to blind seed disease; accounting for nearly 60% of the non-germinating seed.
- Spring management can have an influence on seed germination through blind seed disease.
- Blind seed infection is a two stage process; (i) a primary infection of open florets at early flowering and (ii) a secondary infection starting seven to 10 days later.
- Crop management strategies to reduce blind seed include achieving adequate crop architecture, by ensuring the crop Nitrogen (N) and Moddus inputs are matched appropriately.
- A well planned fungicide programme that includes Proline (600 mls/ha) at early flowering and carbendazim applied from late flowering at 500 mls/ha/application provides the best protecton.
No. 58 Ryegrass germination issues and trends from 2006/07
